Bovine tuberculosis trends in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, 1995–2010

Abstract

Selected demographic features and trends in bovine tuberculosis (BTB) from 1995 to 2010 are described for the countries of the UK and the Republic of Ireland, using standardised definitions and measures. All countries experienced a reduction in the number of cattle and herds and in the proportion of dairy herds, while average herd size increased. In general, the trends indicate a stable situation of very low BTB prevalence in Scotland and, over most of the period, a rising prevalence in England and Wales. The prevalence in the Republic of Ireland declined while Northern Ireland experienced both a rise and fall. Differences in demography, BTB programme structure and test results were noted, particularly between the island of Ireland and Great Britain. Further investigation of these differences may provide valuable insights into risk factors for BTB and optimisation of existing BTB programmes.

Understanding and managing bTB risk: Perspectives from Ireland

“…Clegg et al (2015a) found evidence of improvement in testing effectiveness among private veterinary practitioners in 2011 compared with 2008 in a range of indices, which is likely attributable to programme quality control (Duignan et al, 2012). Herd recurrence remains problematic, with approximately 12% positive at the post-derestriction test (Abernethy et al, 2013). Nonetheless, there has been clear evidence of improvement, with 2008-derestricted herds being 0.74 times (95% confidence interval: 0.68-0.81) as likely to be restricted in the 3 years following derestriction compared with 1998-derestricted herds (Gallagher et al, 2013).…”

“…The latter is particularly important in Ireland: up to 36% of bTB breakdowns between 1995 and 2010 were first detected using this method (Abernethy et al, 2013). In approximately 80% of these breakdowns, no further reactors are detected at a full herd retest (the factory lesion test, FLT) (Olea-Popelka et al, 2008).…”

Epidemiological modelling for the assessment of bovine tuberculosis surveillance in the dairy farm network in Emilia-Romagna (Italy)

“…How these factors may interplay to determine the risk of outbreaks in the specific case of bTB has been well documented in the UK and Ireland, where the rising incidence of the infection in the last 20 years has caused significant economic losses (Abernethy et al, 2013;Reynolds, 2006). The direct costs of bTB for UK taxpayers in 2009 were estimated in around £63M (about 95M USD) and over 25,000 cattle were culled (Johnston et al, 2011).…”

Farm characteristics and farmer perceptions associated with bovine tuberculosis incidents in areas of emerging endemic spread

“…Despite increasing efforts and controls to slow the spread of bovine tuberculosis (bTB), the area affected by endemic bTB in England and Wales continues to expand (Broughan, Harris et al 2015) though the increasing trend in the incidence of bTB in England (Abernethy, Upton et al 2013) is not uniform. The lack of uniformity has been recognised by Defra who have divided England into three distinct spatial units, each associated with different disease management strategies, in an attempt to stem the east-and northward spread of bTB.…”